The Student’s Ability Index in Higher Educational Institutions

Abstract

The writer has'-heretofore developed a student's ability index (SAI)1, and demonstrated its practical application in the elementary school.2 The next problem to adapt the index so far as possible to the condi tions, prevalent in such, institutions as the high school, college, or uni versity. 7? The formula.for this index as stated for elementary school students is as-follows:.:.;* '< ? _' Mk v MGA : :, ' ' r SAI = -p^-r X CA GMk in which SAI .is-.the student's ability index; Mk the average of the student's marks'assigned by his instructor for the term or year; CA the student^s actual; chronological at the time Mk computed ; MGA the mental.grad? age or the average mental of the stu dents per (or year) at the same date and GMk the grade mark or the average of the marks assigned to all students in the given and subjects. The formula thus stated involves one factor, MGA, that appears to be specifically affected by normal conditions in higher institutions. To be sure; other factors, especially such as pertain to marking systems and practice, are Subject to greater variability than in the elementary school while.the'disturbing influences of variable curricula, changing environ ment and extraneous activities must render the formula as a whole less reliable as a measure of inherent ability. Some of these influences are presumably irregular and may be regarded as the accidental disturb ances characteristic of higher school life which are, at least partially, eliminated by the law of averages when the data are in sufficient volume, while others doubtless are incapable of satisfactory control. On the other hand, the factor MGA, having a mental-age basis, appears to be subject to a definite biological disturbance which should be considered before attempting to apply the formula to the work of higher institutions.